De Passe, Suzanne (1946–)

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De Passe, Suzanne (1946–)

African-American producer. Name variations: Suzanne De Passe. Born 1946 in New York, NY; m. Paul Le Mat (actor), 1978 (sep.).

The first lady of Motown, was creative assistant for Berry Gordy and molded the careers of the Jackson 5 and the Commodores, among others; collaborated on screenplay for Lady Sings the Blues (1972), earning an Oscar nomination; as president of Motown Productions (1980s), produced a string of Motown specials; formed De Passe Entertainment and produced the miniseries "Lonesome Dove," for which she won an Emmy and Peabody, as well as "Buffalo Girls," "Streets of Laredo," "Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century," and the sitcom "Sister, Sister," among others.

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